Voice of the people (letter).

False `Conspiracy'

June 23, 1994|By Daniel Morrison.

CHICAGO — Recently in the news, we have again seen several references to a world-wide menace. After a former Nation of Islam minister recently shot at Khalid Abdul Muhammad, people in the crowd attempting to lynch the shooter were shouting, "He works for the Jews."

My family and I are in various Jewish organizations at the local, regional and national levels. Among the people I know are a great number of Jews: Jewish intellectuals, Jewish businessmen, rich Jews and not-so-rich Jews. This "conspiracy" has never approached any of these people. None of these people have been invited to any "conspiracy" meetings. None of these people are aware of a "conspiracy" by other Jews with whom they are in contact.

Yet, this "conspiracy" has historically been accused of being the underlying force behind negative situations, often with violent results. These accusations include the oppression of Eastern Europe peasants during the Middle Ages (providing an excuse for the ever-popular pogroms) and the destruction of the German economy during the 1920s and 1930s (leading to the much more efficient Holocaust). Now, despite the decimation of the world Jewish population, this "conspiracy" is again flexing its muscle.

Does anyone believe that a former Nation of Islam minister would ever work with Jews-never mind becoming a hit man for them?

How long must Jews put up with the allegations and hatred from people around the world? What must we as Jews, and as humans, do to stop the ignorance that allows this hatred to survive?